Windows 10 allows the user to share his or her locally connected printers and stored files with other users over the network. Shared files can be accessible for reading and writing to others. Shared printers can be used for printing on the remote computer. You can backup your network shares in Windows 10 and restore them later. Let's see how it can be done.
It is easy to share a folder over a network in Windows 10 using the built-in file sharing feature. No third-party apps required. The procedure is covered in detail in the following article:
How to Share File or Folder in Windows 10
Note: If you are running Windows 10 version 1803, you may have issues with file and folder sharing. Please see the article Network Computers are Not Visible in Windows 10 Version 1803. Ensure that you have the services 'Function Discovery Resource Publication' and 'Function Discovery Provider Host' enabled (their startup type is set to automatic) and running. This needs to be done on each Windows 10 PC you want to set up for file and folder sharing.
You can backup the currently existing share names and permissions you have assigned to them using the advanced sharing dialog. You must be signed in with an administrative account to continue.
To backup Network Shares in Windows 10, do the following.
- Open the Registry Editor app.
- Go to the following Registry key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Shares
See how to go to a Registry key with one click.
- On the left, right-click on the Share folder and select Export... from the context menu.
- Browse for the folder where you want to store your REG file and click on the Save button.
Using the REG file you created, you can quickly restore your network shares later.
Restore Network Shares
Double-click on your REG file and confirm the import operation. If you have UAC enabled in Windows 10, you'll will be prompted to permit the operation.
After that, restart Windows 10.
To save your time, you can use the following commands.
- Open a new command prompt as Administrator.
- Type the following command to export your shares:
reg export HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Shares "%UserProfile%\Desktop\Network Shares.reg". - The next command will restore them:
reg import HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Shares "%UserProfile%\Desktop\Network Shares.reg".
Correct the file path and its name in the commands provided above. By defaults, the shares will exported to the file "Network Shares.reg" in your Desktop folder.
That's it.
Related articles:
- Enable SMB1 Sharing Protocol in Windows 10
- How to Share File or Folder in Windows 10
- Change File Sharing Encryption Level in Windows 10
- Disable or Enable File and Printer Sharing in Windows 10
- Disable Password Protected Sharing in Windows 10
- How to View Network Shares in Windows 10
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Sergey, I really wish you would stop posting stories like this.
Microsoft has disabled file sharing in windows 10.
What I’d really love to see is a new version of WinAreo that re-enables password protected file sharing.